I am doing research into the topic of the title "HEART SON". Could anyone tell me about this title i.e. who can give it out, who can use it and what does it officially mean. Can students give out this title to another student after their Tulku has died and the deceased Tulku does not declare any of them as his HEART SON. Any and all information would be of great assistance to me.

Harold wrote:I am doing research into the topic of the title "HEART SON". Could anyone tell me about this title i.e. who can give it out, who can use it and what does it officially mean. Can students give out this title to another student after their Tulku has died and the deceased Tulku does not declare any of them as his HEART SON. Any and all information would be of great assistance to me.

It isn't a title and it means nothing if you don't hear it from the master himself. It means something like "very close disciple" but don't make anyone lineage holder, rinpoche or lama or anything like that.

/magnus

"To reject practice by saying, 'it is conceptual!' is the path of fools. A tendency of the inexperienced and something to be avoided."- Longchenpa

Harold wrote: I know that the Karmapa used it to describe his FOUR HEART SONS.

Does anyone know the history of the term HEART SON?

I don't know the history of the term but it is sure to stem from a specific Tibetan word or phrase and does indicate an intended future lineage holder when used in TB religious politics although as noted by a previous poster it's really just a term talking about an extremely close student (student or disciple is not quite right) - Marpa and Milarepa are the classic examples - karmically connected guru and disciple bonded like family.

The concept is also found in China and may or may not stem from Chinese culture (or it may stem from West Asia culture going way back). The best examples are from martial arts where a close student can be seen as a kind of adopted son/daughter of the master.

Harold,I have always understood the term to mean the main one to whom a teacher is passing on their linage too. I am coming from a Nyingma background which has a lot of such father to son transfers, although not always. While a teach may have many great students, it will most likely be only a select few who are expected to carry on the lineage. Just my .02.